Improvement in fruit and jelly presses



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. w. POWERS. FRUIT AND JELLY PRESSES.

Patented Jan. 9, 1877.

No.186,16Z.

In ven$0r N. PETERS. FHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER. WASHINGTON D C 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. W. POWERS. FRUIT AND JELLY PRESSES. No.186,162, Patented J'an.9, 1877.

N. PElERs, PHOTQ-UTNOGRAPHEK WASHINGTON n c.

UNITED STATES JAY W. POWERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT PATENT OFFICE.

T0 FRANCIS M. MELIOK, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT AND JELLY PRE SSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186,162, dated January 9, 1877; application filed July 7, 1876.

To all whom it may c'oncern:

Be it known that I, JAY W. POWERS, of the city of Chicago, Cook county, State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fruit and Jelly Presses, of which the following is a full description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevation Fig. 2, a vertical section; Fig. 3, a plan view of the cover; Fig. 4, a detail; Fig. 5, a plan view of the plunger; Fig. 6, an elevation, showing the scales connected with the lever Fig. 7, a top view of the lever; Fig. 8, a detail. My improvement consists in constructing the operating-lever of the press so that it can be used as a scale-beam by combining with .the press scales for weighing; and in special devices, by the use of which the plungeris operatcd.

In the drawings, A represents the receptacle for the fruit; B, the plunger, which is provided with suitable perforations. O is a bar provided with ratchet-teeth, the lower end of which is permanently secured to the plunger. D is a removable cover. a are standards, permanently attached to the cover. b are bearings on, the tops of the standards a. E is the operating lever. It is so constructed that it can be used as a scalebeam; and, to this end, it is provided with notches 0, one near each end to receive a hook or ring. At the center of the lever E are pivots, the ends d of which project some distance beyond the lever, so as to enter the bearings b. These ends d are circular, in part. so as to fit the bearings b, and are so formed as to have a sharp edge opposite to this circular portion, as represented in Figs. 1 and 6. F are two pawls, pivoted in the lever E-one upon each side of the center-by means of the pins 71. f are arms connected with the pawls, which serve as weights to make the part 0 of the pawl engage with the teeth on the bar (J. g is an opening through the cover D, through which the bar 0 passes. Irnake the barG of the same form as this opening 9. G G are trays or scales suspended from the lever or beam E.

The arms f of the pawls, besides serving the office of weights, can be used for the purpose of disengaging the pawls frpm the teeth, when desired.

The ratchet-bar 0 passes through an opening at the center of the lever E. h is an Opening through the cover D, to permit the return of any juice that might pass up by the side of the ratchet-bar O.

In use the plunger B is placed in the bottom of the receptacle A, and the cover and lever removed. The receptacle is then filled with the fruit or other article to be pressed. The cover D and lever E are then placed in the position shown in Fig. l, and, as the opposite ends of the lever are alternately raised and depressed, the pawls f alternately engage with the ratchet-teeth on the bar 0, and the plunger will be drawn up, pressing the fruit between the cover and the plunger.

-The juice flowing through the perforations in the plunger and receptacle can be preserved in a suitable vessel. The fruit having been sufficiently pressed, the lever, cover, and plunger can be removed, the refuse can be thrown away, and the juice deposited Whereever desired.

When used as a press the circular portion of the pivots d rest in the bearings b, as shown in Fig. 1.

To use the device as a scale, it is only necessary to turn over the lever E, so that the knifeedges of the pins 01 will rest in the bearings b, and suspend G Gone upon each end of the lever-as shown in Fig. 6.

By reversing the position of the bar 0, and securing that end which in Fig. 1 is the upper one to the plunger, it, when operated, will move downward, the article to be pressed being placed beneath instead of above the pluner. g The receptacle Acan conveniently be made of perforated sheet metal.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a fruit or jelly press the lever E, provided with pins or pivots (1, formed substantially as described, and adapted to be used both as a lever and also as a scale-beam, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The receptacle A, plunger B, ratchetbar 0, cover D, and standards a, in combination with an operating-lever and pawls F, substantially as specified.

Witnesses: JAY. W. POWERS.

E. A. WEST, O. W. BOND. 

